Aeroplane.



W. R. KIRKPATRI'CK.

ABROPLANE.

APPLIOMI'QN FILED 11u12, 1911. 1,057,246, l Patented Mar. 2 5, 1913;

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APPLIGATIOK :FILED MAY 12, 1911.v

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

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35 37 50 ZZ J5 l mm W. R..5;,KIRKPATRI'CK. ABROPLANE. APPLIGATION. FILED 11u12, 1911.

1,057,245 Patented Mar.25,1913.

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, AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED HAYIZ4 1911. v

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

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iltlNlTED SIAIIES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. KIRKPATRICK, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

AEROPLANE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l,v TILLIAM R. Kim;- rn'rlncn, citizen oit the United States, residing in Baltimore, State ot Maryland, have invented certain new and useful 1m provements in Aeroplanes, of which the following a specification.

yll`his invention relates to aeroplanes in general, but more particularly to a gravitysuspended car` which carries the motor and aviator, and from which the various mecha` nisnis for propelling and guiding the car `and causing its ascension and descension are readily accessible to the aviator.

The invention consists in providing certain new and novel mechanisms by which the car is suspended from the frame ot the ma chine, and by which the car may be maintained in a true vertical position when the machine is moving in a horizontal plane, or in a laterally tilted position.

The invention further consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the various mechanisms tot propelling and guiding the aeroplane or machine, and tor causing its ascent and descent, as will be hereinafter fullydescribed in this specification, and briefly stated in the claims.

rlhe chief object ot the invention is to produce an aeroplane, whether ot the mono of bi-plane type, in which the equilibrium of the car will be automatically maintained, whether ascending or descending, or tilted in a lateral direction by the force ot the wind.

@ther objects ot the invention will become apparent upon a complete disclosure thereof.

in the drawings--li`igure 1 is a side elevation of my improved aeroplane, the rear portion ot the trame being broken away; Fig. 2 is a .front elevation of the same, the outer end of the plane framework being broken away; F ig. 3 is an enlargedjhori- Zontal section ot the universal gear connection by which power is ltransmitted from motor to propeller; Fig, 4 is a side elevation oitl the same, showing the manner in which it is suspended from the center bracket; Fig. 5 is a rear elevationjof the universal connection,showing the powertransmitting sprocket and chain; Fig. 6 is an enlarged side ,elevation ofthe 1nechanism tor inclining` the frontl of themachine in either an up or down position, in ascending or descending; Fig. 7 is an en- Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 12, 1311.

Patented Mar. 25, 191 3.

Serial No. 626,786.

vlarged horizontalrsection of the same, on

line 7--7 ot' Fig. 6; Fig. S is a similar section on line 8 8 of `Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken just above the car, showing a top plan view of the rudder steering mechanism; Fig. 10 is a side elevation ot' Fig. 9; Fig.` 11 is a detail perspective view of t-he rudder and a portion ot' the steering mechanism, and Fig. 12 is a diagrannnatie top plan view ot the aeroplane; Fig. 13 is a top plan view ot the central structure of the aeroplane; and Fig. 1t

is a top plan view of the plattornior car.

Referring to thev several views, the numeral 1 indicates a center casting having a number of arms projecting therefrom, to which arms are secured braces which support and strengthen the center structure, which is constructed of tour lrods L), 3, 4,' and supported from the center casting by braces 2, 3, st, and 5, the respective'ends of said b aces being secured to. arms 2,.3, '61", and 5 of the casting, and to connections (3, 7,- 8 and t). Arising from each connection' and 9 is a vertical standard 10, and arising from each connection T and S is an outwardly-inclined standard 10. The upper ends of the standards 10 are secured to six-arm connections 11 and said standards are connected together by a transverse rod 12. The upper ends ot the standards 10 are secured to tive-arm cormections 13 and the standards 10 and 10 are connected together by longitudinal rods 1l, while the standards 10( are connected together by a transverse rod 15.

Secured to the outwardly-projecting arms of connections 6 7 and 11-13 is a suitably trussed trame 1G, constituting one ot the wings of the aeroplane, and secured to the outwardly-projecting arms of connections 8 t.) and 10s-11 is a suitably trussed 'trame 1T, constituting the other wing ot the aero plane, both ot' which wings are provided with the usual canvas covering. Secured to the rearwardly and outwardly-projecting arms ot connections (i-Si and 11--11 a suitably trussed. frame 1S tapering to a point.

The numeral 19 indicates a propeller shaft journaled at its outer end in a bearing-block Q0 supported by rods 21 and 22, which extend upwardly and outwardly from connections Y and 8 respectively, said shaft carrying suitable propeller 22. The inner end ot the shatt is journaled in the yoke 23 ot a universal-joint. 24, rotatably supported in bearings 25 -pf a hanger 26, which isdi'vided longitudinally and bolted to a screw-threaded post `27, as clearly shown in Fig. y4.y The bar 28 of the' universal-joint, to `which the yoke is swiveled, is centrallybored, as shown at 29, into which the inner end of the propeller-shaft projects, and mounted on said end is a beveled gear-Wheel 30 which `meshes with a' comined gear and sprocket-wheel 31.

The numeral 32'indicates platform or car upon which the motor 33 and the operatingmechanism is located, and upon which the aviator or operator is positioned. .The platform is rectangularin shape and 1s preferably composed of bars 34 joined together by four-arm connections 35, and strengthened by braces 36 connected to a center structure 37. This center structure consists of four corner connections, to which the braces 36 are connected, joined together by rods 38 and universal joints 39 and 40. The'platform is gravitationally suspended from the universal-joint 24 by a hanger. 41 consisting of four cornerposts 42 connected together by braces 43, and secured to the respective corner connections of the center structureI `37, the connection of the hanger with the platform being strengthened by inclined braces or struts 44. The ends of the posts forming the hangerv converge and are connected to a two-partl strap 45 having arms 46, the parts being bolted together and the 'arms bored to encircle the hub 47 of the bar 28 of the universal-joint 24. The platform or car isl provided vv'ith suitable Wheels 48,

Afor-permitting the aeroplane to be propelled on the ground, when desired, and to facilitate ialighting.

'The propeller shat is driven by a sprocket-chain 49 running over the sprocket wheel, of the combined gear and sprocket- Wheel shaft of the motor 33.'l

f J ournaled in the outer ends of braces 52,

.extending rearwardl from opposite sides of -other screvvI threaded p'llig 61, which forms `the other journal bearing for the bar 28,

. andsecured by a nut 62.- The ends of the cord pass dovvn the hanger 41 to ivithin easy' reach of the aviator, Where they are secured to-afpulley'63 mounted loosely on a tubular shaft 64, rigidly secured 1n bearings 65 sc- 31, and va sprocket-Wheel 50 on the.

is pivoted a cured to oppositely-disposed braces 66 of the hanger 41. The pulley is provided with an operating handle 67and Secured to the shaft, by any Well-known means, is a collar 68 having a slotted arm 69 projecting there from, and a set-screw 70 passing through the slotted arm 69 serves to lock thc pulley to the collar and thereby prevent its accidental movement.

Passing through the slot 55 of the rudder stem is a Wire or cord 71, the ends of which pass over pulleys 72, pivoted at any desired point on opposite sides of the frame 18, over and around a pulley 73, loose on shaft 59, and thence down to a pulley 74 mounted loose on the fixed shaft 64, Where it is fastened. The pulley 74 is also provided with an operating handle 75, and a collar 76, having a slotted arm 76, fixed on said shaft, and a set-screw 77 passing through Said slotted arm serves to lock the pulley against rotation, When desired. The operating-wire 57 is used to manipulate the rudder in ascending or descending, While the operating- Wire 71 is used to deflect the rudder laterally in turning from a straight course. and is effected by means of collars 71 and 72', one on each side of the rudder stem.

The mechanism for controlling the aeroplane in ascending or descending and in horizontal Hight, assisted by the rudder, consists of a`tubular member 78 and member 79 slidable Within the tubular member. The lower end of the tubular member is connected to the center structure 37 by the universal joint 39, and journaled in a bracket 80, secured to the outer surface of said tubular member is a` sprocket-Wheel 81, the shaft of which is provided Wit-h an operating handle 82 Wit-hin easy reach of the aviator. J ournaled in a bracket 83 secured at the upper end of the tubular member is a sprocket wheel 84, which is connected with sprocket- Wheel 81 by a sprocket-chain 85. The slidable member is cross-shape in cross-section, preferably hollow, and has one of its longitudinal ribs lprovided With rack-teeth 86 adapted to'be engaged by a toothed Wheel 87 mounted on the shaft of the sprocket-wheel 84. The other longitudinal ribs of the slidable member serve to guide the member in telescopic movement in the tubular member` said movement being facilitated by a number of idler-Wheels 88 pivoted in suitable brackets secured to the tubular member. which project through slots 89 in the wall of said member engaging said ribs, as shown in Fig. 6. The slidable member is connected to a universal-joint SO supported at the from of the machine by two rods 91 and 92 securedto connections 7 and 8, respectively, of the center structure of the aeroplane. lu ascending` the slidable member is moved upvvard, by the sj'nocket-wheel and chain operating-mechanism, which causes thc upward descending, the slidable kmember is moved downward, causing the'front of the aeroplane to be tilted downward, the former movement causing the machine to ascend and the latter t0 descend. The tubular and slidable members may be locked together to form a brace for holding the platform rigidvr with the aeroplane which is desirable when the machine is moving on the ground preparatory to ascending or in alighting, by a wheel operated brake 82 holding the shaft of sprocket-wheel 81 against rotation. A similar mechanism is employed to tilt the sides of the aeroplane, a tubular member 93 being connected, at its lower end, to the center structure 37 by the universal joint 40,

and a member 94 slidable inthe tubularmember, the slidable member being connected to a universal-joint 95 supported by rods 96 and 97 secured to connections 8 and 9, respectively, of the center structure of the slidable member against movement is similar to that for holding the slidablemember 79 against movement, and consists of a wheel operated b rake 104.

By means of the universal connection between the aeroplane and the hanger, which supports the platform, the position of the hanger,- and its attached platform, will valways be in a true vertical line, and t-he aeroplane can be made to assume any angle, to the hanger, within a radius of forty-five to ninety degrees, without affecting the vertical position of the hanger7 and by means of t-he said connection the hanger may rotate in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the propeller.

The movement of the aeroplane may be able will cause the aeroplane to assume a reverse or ascending position. A/downward moveL ment of the slidable member 94 will tilt the 'aeroplane laterally, causingit to describe a circle to the right, while an upward movement of. said slidable` member will cause the yaeroplane to describe a crclefto the left.

Thus itwill be seen that-the movements of,

the aeroplane may be controlled, independcase the steering mechanism should become in any way disarranged vor'out of order, the

machine would not become unmana'ge'able.

A retarding device in the shape citanv ordinary self-opening parachute 105 may be attached to the center casting 1, as shown in t-he open position in Fig. 1 and in closed position in Fig. 2. The handle of the parachute is screwed into the top of the casting, and an operating cord 106, attached to a trigger 107 and extending down within reach of the aviator, is employed to release the holding catch. In case of an accident, the parachute is useful in retarding the downward flight. Y

A suitable `,railing '108 may be erected around the platform as an element of safety.

In constructing the frames' of the aeroplane; and platform or case, Ipprefer to employ tubular rodsofaluminum, and to make the tubular and slidable members of the same met-al, in order to secure' lightness and strength. i

It Iwill be noted that the chief object of' the invention is to producean aeroplanebf the mono or bi-plane type, incapable ozf being overturned while in flight, and in which a descension to the .ground can lbe safely made should any of the vital4 parts of the machine become disarranged or broken, or the motor fail to work, the construction/ being such that the equilibrium of the car or platform will be automatically maintained in a vertical position, whether vascendingondescending or whether the aeroplane be tiltedin Valateral position. It will also be noted that the aeroplane, when tilted in a lateral direction, `will be prevented from making any angle less than that fixed with the hanger, v by reason of the hanger coming into contact with the lower' part of the center structure.

Having thus fully described my invention What I claim is 1. In an aeroplane, the combination of a lcenter-structure provided with oppositelydispo-,sed planes and a rear extensiona platform or car suspended from the centerstructure by a universal connection, a tubuvlar member connected to thev platform by a universal connection, a member slidable in the tubular member and connected to the center'structure by a universal connection, and means for moving the slidable member toycause the tilting of the aeroplaneA in a longitudinal direction.

t2. In an aeroplane, the combination of a -center-structure provided with oppositelydisposed planes and a rear extension, a plat- -form for car suspended fromv the centerstructure, by a universal connection, a member slidable 1n a tubular member and connected to the center-structure by a universal connection, means for moving the slidable member to elevate or depres the front of the aeroplane, and means for laterally tilts ing the aeroplane. y

lar member and attached to the side vof the center-structure by aviiniversal connection, and means for operating said slidable member to tilt the aeroplane laterally.

4. In an aeroplane,acenter-structure comprising 'a casting having outwardly and downwardly-projecting arms, an upper rectangular frame of connected rods, a lower rectangular fra-me of connected rods, both frames being connected together by eorner- Ylrtsfandsupported by brace-rods projecting\froin the arms of the casting, oppositely disposed planes and a rear extension, and a platform attach'elto the casting by a universal-connection.

5. An` aeroplane comprising a centerstructure composed of a casting having outwardly and downwardl v-projecting arms. an upper rectangular frame of connected rods, a lower rectangular frame of coiiiieJet-\ ed rods both frames bein connected to- 40 a n..

gether -by 'corner-posts and supported ,by brace-rods projecting from the arms of the casting, .oppositely disposed planes, and a rear extension in combination with a platform attached to the casting by a universaland means for tilting the aero- -ei'tical direction, and mechanism for tilting the aeroplane in a longitudinal direction, s aid mechanism coinl'irising two members, one of which is connected by a universal-connection to the platform andk the other bv a similar connection to the 'center-structure, one of said members being slidable, and ineans for moving the slidable member.

G An aeroplane comprising a centerstrncture composed of a casting having outwardly and downwardly-projecting arms` an upper rectangular frainc of connected rods, a lower rectangular -fraine yof connected rods, both frames being connected together by corner-posts and supl'iorted by vbrace-rods projectii'ig from the arms of the casting, oppositely disposed planes, and a form suspended from the casting by a universal-connection, and mechanism for tilting the aeroplane laterally or sidewise, said mechanism comprising a tubular member connected to the platform by `a universalconnection, a slidable member connected to the center-structure by a similar connection, ndm'eans for operating the slidable-mem- 7. An aeroplane comprising a centerstructure composed of a casting having outwardly and downwardly-projecting arms, an upper rectangular frame of connected rods, a lower rectan ular frame of connected rods, both frames eing connectedtogether by corner-posts and supported by brace-rods projecting from the arms of the casting, op-

positely disposed planes, and a rear extension, in combination with a platform suspended from the casting by a universal-connection, means for tilting the aeroplane in a vertical, longitudinal direction, said means comprising two members, one slidable within the other, one member-being connected to the platform by a4 universal connection and the other to one end of the center-structure by :i

the slidable-inembers, and means for tilting the aeroplane laterally or sidewise, the said means comprising a tubular member connected to the platforfin by a universal-connection and the other to one side of the eenter-structure by a similar connection, and means for operatingthe slidable-member.

S.4 An aeroplane having in combination, a center-strnctiire, a rear extension provided with a rudder, means for operating the rudder in a vertigilJdnnc-tionn/eaiis'forioperatii-igfsaid'fidder, laterally, a propeller arranged at the front of the aeroplane, a platforin or car suspended from the center-strnctiire by a uiiiversal-conneetion, a motor for driving the propeller, means for directing the aeroplane in an upward or downward flight, consisting of a tubular member and a member slidable therein, the tubular ineinber being connected to the platform or car by a Vuniversalconnection and the slidablemember connected to the center-structure by a similar connection, and means for operating the slidable member.

9. An aeroplane having in combination, a center-structure, a rear extension provided with a rudder, means for operating the rudder vertically, means for operating said rndder laterally, a propeller arranged at the front of the aeroplane, a platform or'car snspended from the center-structin'e by a universal-connection, avmotor for driving the propeller, means for tilting the aeroplane laterally, consisting of two members, one slidable within the other. one member being attached to the side of the center-structure by a universal connection and the other 6.5 rear extension, in combination with a plat- -meiiiber connected to the platform by a simisimilar connection, and means for operating lar connection, and means for operating the membereonnected to the center-structure by slidable-member. a similar `connection, means whereby the 10. An aeroplane having in combination, a slidable-member may be operated totilt the 15 center-structure, a rear extension' provided aeroplane in a vertically-upward or downwith a rudder, means for operating the rudward /direction, and mechanism for tilting der vertically, means for operating it later'- the aeroplane laterally.

ally, a propeller arranged at the front of the In testimony whereof I aiix my signature aeroplane, a platform or car suspended from in presence of two witnesses.

the center-structure by a universal-connec- WILLIAM R. KIRKPATRICK.' tion, a motor for drivin the propeller, a Witnesses: tubular-membereonnecte to the platform or JAMES Hnwns,

car by a universal connection, a slidable- JOHN T. F ARDY. 

